Understanding Constitutional Rights in Criminal Justice
The Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendments provide crucial protections for individuals in the criminal justice system. These constitutional safeguards shape how law enforcement and courts must operate when investigating crimes and prosecuting suspects.
The exceptions to the 4th Amendment search and seizure requirements include several important situations. Law enforcement can conduct searches without a warrant in cases involving consent searches, plain view discoveries, and administrative inspections. However, the exclusionary rule prevents evidence obtained through illegal searches from being used in court proceedings.
Definition: The exclusionary rule bars the use of evidence gathered through unconstitutional means, serving as a crucial check on police power.
The Fifth Amendment protects against self-incrimination, requiring law enforcement to inform suspects of their Miranda rights before custodial interrogation. These rights include remaining silent, having an attorney present during questioning, and receiving state-appointed counsel if needed. This fundamental protection ensures suspects understand their constitutional rights before making potentially incriminating statements.
Highlight: Miranda rights must be read before any custodial interrogation, regardless of the crime's severity.